tcrow@taylorisd.org When Morgan Elliott
graduated from kindergarten in May, she carried a lot of family pride with her
as she walked across the T. H. Johnson stage. Not only had she successfully
completed two years at the pre-k and kindergarten campus, she was also
graduating from the school that bears her great great grandfather’s name.
“Happy,” Morgan said when
asked how she felt about graduating from T.H. Johnson Elementary. Every time
she walks past the portrait of the school’s namesake at the front entrance, she
says to herself, “That’s my great great grandfather.”
Mr. T.H. Johnson began a forty-year
tenure with Taylor ISD in 1926, serving as a history teacher, coach and superintendent.
During his coaching years, the Taylor Ducks won many championships. Mr. Johnson
became superintendent in 1946 and remained in that position until his
retirement in 1966. The elementary school named in his honor opened in 1983.
Morgan’s dad, Robert
Elliott, is T.H. Johnson’s great grandson. At the age of two, he was present
for the dedication of the school.
“I’m actually in the picture
of the scissor cutting,” Robert said. “I helped cut the ribbon. I don’t
remember it, I just remember the picture.”
Robert’s mother, Judy
Elliott, also recalls the event. “He (Robert) was holding the ribbon, and I was
holding him.”
Although Morgan’s sister,
Farrah, never attended TH Johnson, she has enjoyed visiting the campus while
attending her younger sister’s events and activities.
“It feels good coming into a
school with my great great grandfather’s name,” Farrah said. “I like all the
colors, and every time I see that picture I say, ‘Wow! That’s my great great
grandfather!’.
Morgan’s favorite things
about school include going to PE, classroom parties and reading books. Her
favorite book is Harry Potter, and reading it with her teacher, Ms. Hood.
While many local residents
and ex-students have memories of the former coach and superintendent, the
Elliotts recall life at home with Taylor’s beloved educator.
“I remember going out to his
farm at La Grange,” Robert said. “Being a little kid and going out there and
riding the tractor, picking pecans, and riding in the old blue truck. Those are
the best memories.”
Judy Elliott commented that
TH Johnson’s love of sports must run in the family as Morgan and Farrah are
both involved in a variety of activities. Farrah participates in dance,
volleyball, gymnastics and also takes piano. Morgan enjoys tennis, basketball,
cheer, gymnastics and tumbling.
While Morgan’s mom, Michelle
Elliott, is glad that her daughter had the opportunity of attending the school
named after her great great grandfather, she is most happy about the education
she has received there.
“Everything about the
school, all the teachers and all the staff, it’s a great place for them to be.
The Leader in Me is absolutely phenomenal. Of all the schools in this area that
I could have them at, there’s nowhere other than Taylor that my kids would be. We
have teachers who are looking to make the children successful in life, in the
bigger world. I think it’s a wonderful start.”
Mr. T. H. Johnson was known
around Taylor as a historian, preserving stories like how we became the Taylor
Ducks. According to the Elliotts, he also preserved many family memories at
home.
“He kept track of the
family,” Judy said. “At the farm, there is book after book after book that he had
written, an entire library about the history of everything. He would talk about
the football players a lot and kept in touch with them. He talked a lot about
Taylor. His career meant a lot to him.”
The farm that meant so much
to Mr. Johnson is still an important part of family life today.
“We got married under the
pecan trees out on his place,” said Michelle. “And these two girls pick up
pecans. They get paid a penny a pecan every time they go out to his place.”
Seeing the name T. H.
Johnson on the building and on the street signs is very special to Morgan and
her family, and to know the contributions their family’s patriarch made to this
town.
“Every time you talk to
people who have been around Taylor for a while, they all know the history of T.
H. Johnson,” Robert said. “His legacy lives on.”
